Chronicles of The Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche

1985

  • At age 37, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche paid a visit to Master Guang Qin. Thereafter, the sight of meat made him sick, so he became a vegetarian.

1986

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche sought refuge under Master Jinneng and started to study sutras in Exoteric Buddhism. He sincerely repented and made offerings, exerting utmost effort to support the monastery and all Dharma activities.

1988

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche sought refuge under His Holiness the 37th Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche of Tibetan Buddhism and became his root disciple.

1989

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche began his sponsorship of the Drikung Kagyu Vihara of Esoteric and Exoteric Buddhism, the first Drikung Kagyu center in Taipei, and chaired its Dharma protection committee.

1993

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche received the oral transmission of Ngondro, the preliminaries for tantric practice in Tibetan Buddhism, from Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang.

1994

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led a life similar to a retreat and started to practice zealously. He then perfected Ngondro within one year.

1995

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche visited the Drikung Thel Monastery, the main monastery of the Drikung Kagyu Order. While he was at the entrance, telling a lama about his desire to meet the eldest practitioner in the monastery, the attendant of Most Venerable Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche walked past and overheard them. He then responded, “You should be the one who Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche mentioned a few days ago, a stranger arriving today to see him.” He then led Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche on a hike, from 4200 to 5100 meters altitude, to the retreat room of Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche, who was in life-long retreat then. At their first meeting, the Great Yogi Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche of the Drikung Kagyu, voluntarily took Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche under his refuge. Being Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche’s only non-bhikkhu disciple of Han lineage, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was given an ordain name, “Konchok Gendun” and the oral transmission of Mahamudra of Drikung.

1997

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche perfectly completed his first retreat at Jangchubling Monastery, India. Having chanted the Hundred Syllable Mantra of Vajrasattva 100,000 times within 20 days, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche then received the Six Yogas of Naropa and the heart of Mahamudra teachings directly from Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang.
  • During the enthronement ceremony officiated by Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was given his ceremonial garment and hat. He was then officially ordained as the only ngakpa guru of Han lineage in the Drikung Kagyu Order.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche established the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, and has been holding Chod pujas and teachings on a regular basis.
  • At their first meeting, the Great Yogi Drubwang Norbu Rinpoche praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for being a “virtuous man”.

1998

  • Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang himself gave Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche the great empowerment of the Kagyu Ngak Zod, which lasted 15 consecutive days.

1999

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche paid a formal visit to the Most Venerable Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche in Tibet. After licking a spoon for nearly 2 minutes, Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche used it to spoon up some yogurt for Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, who then ate the yogurt without hesitation. This demonstrated his pure heart and reverence towards his Guru.

2000

  • In January, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche organized the Great Dorje Purbha Puja, conducted by Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, at Taipei Cultural Center. It was attended by around 1000 people.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche perfectly completed his 2nd retreat at Jangchubling Monastery, India. From Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, he received the empowerment of Chod and the transmission of the fire puja for the activities of “peace,” “power,” “increase,” and “wrath.” Besides this, His Holiness predicted that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s dharma activities to benefit all sentient beings would enjoy immense prosperity in the future.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche sponsored the restoration of the gilded roofs of the Cannon Library and the Jambudvipa Ornament Hall at the Drikung Thel Monastery in Tibet.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche organized the Memorial Prayer for Lord Jigten Sumgon.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche paid a formal visit to Most Venerable Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche in Tibet. With great compassion, aspiration and bodhichitta, he prostrated on behalf of all beings before Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche, who was in the retreat room at that time. All of a sudden, auspicious snowflakes fell from the clear blue sky and only landed on the ground in front of the retreat room. It was the praise from the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and the Dharma protectors towards Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s virtues and great aspirations to benefit all sentient beings.

2001

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche perfectly completed his 3rd retreat at Jangchubling Monastery, India. During the Great Snake Year Teachings, Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang openly commended Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s devotion to the lineage.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche organized a performance tour of the Drikung Vajra Dances in Taiwan and raised a total of USD 200,000 for Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang to build the Songtsen Library in India.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche received the empowerment of Raktayamari, the wrathful emanation of Manjushri, from Lhochen Rinpoche, one of the three great Rinpoches in the Drikung Kagyu Order. It was the first time that the practice spread to an area outside Tibet.

2002

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche perfectly completed his 4th retreat at Jangchubling Monastery, India, and received Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang’s authorization to perform and give the empowerment of the Great Amitabha’s Puja for Transferring Consciousnesses to the believers.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche visited His Holiness the 36th Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang Rinpoche in Tibet. His Holiness praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche as the most important disciple and benefactor of the lineage.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche paid a visit to the Great Yogi Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche. When Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche stepped into the retreat room and prostrated himself, Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche searched the room, the seat, and even his own body for bills and coins. He then gave all the money, a total of RMB 500, to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and insisted that he accept. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was going to reject the offering, but had to take it due to Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche’s insistence and H.H. Chuntsang Rinpoche’s elder brother’s persuasion. The incident signified that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was then able to accept offerings from man and the celestial beings and would carry the major responsibility for the propagation of the lineage.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche organized the Great Amitabha Pure Land Puja - Phowa and the Yidam Lohma Jolma Curing Puja, performed by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche in Taoyuan, Taiwan. Over 10,000 believers attended this auspicious puja.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche organized the Vajrapani Puja, conducted by Lhochen Rinpoche, in Taipei. More than 1,300 believers attended the puja.

2003

  • Upon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s perfection of his 5th retreat at Jangchubling Monastery, India, the Great Yogi Drubwang Norbu Rinpoche met Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. Drubwang Norbu Rinpoche extended his thumb and exclaimed Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was “a great lama”. In addition, Drubwang Rinpoche specifically had his attendant send gifts and fruit to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led the disciples of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Songtsen Library. Prior to the ceremony, Most Venerable Drubwang Rinpoche sat waiting for Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang at the front entrance. He specifically bid a disciple of his to bring another chair for Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to sit beside him. At the inauguration ceremony of the Songtsen Library, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche refered to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche as an important disciple of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage, as well as his heart disciple, right in front of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Sakya Trizin, the representatives from other lineages, and many international guests. In addition to this, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche specifically appointed Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to offer Mandala to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on behalf of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage upon perfect completion of the Avalokiteshvara Empowerment Puja, conducted by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was sent by Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang to Qinghai to organize the cliff carving project for the sculpture and the memorial library of Lord Jigten Sumgon. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche received a hearty welcome from the local Rinpoches, lamas and the Tibetan crowds wherever he went.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche visited the Great Yogi Yunga Rinpoche, who confirmed that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s Dharma activities would be perfect. While Yunga Rinpoche was transmitting the Dharma, he specifically asked Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to eat lunch (plain noodles cooked in salty water) and listen to him at the same time. However, Yunga Rinpoche merely taught several pages of a very thick text. He then closed the text and said, “Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche does not need extensive elaboration to realize all the teachings.” Yunga Rinpoche then gave him the empowerments of the terma tantric practices and revealed 2 statues from the air: Buddha Sakyamuni, which his Guru had practiced with, and Guru Padmasambhava, which he himself practiced with. This meant that Yunga Rinpoche had passed his own distinctive lineage on to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. Yunga Rinpoche also personally bid Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to provide exclusive sponsorship for a 15-meter tall Yamantaka statue. Yunga Rinpoche himself said that the beings in the six realms would be liberated upon hearing a mani mantra from Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. During the visit, an auspicious sign was witnessed. When Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche reached the foot of the hill where Yunga Rinpoche’s retreat room was located, dozens of flying insects appeared, hovering in front of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s forehead, and guided him all the way up. What’s more, they even hovered in mid air inside Yunga Rinpoche’s retreat room for hours, and dispersed when Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche stepped out of the room.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche reinstated and has been exclusively sponsoring the traditional annual Mani puja at the Drikung Thel Monastery, in which 250 lamas chant the Mani mantra 24 hours a day for 45 consecutive days.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche exclusively sponsored the gold foiling of the Jowo Sakyamuni Buddha statue in the Jokhang Temple.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche sponsored the largest puja held in Qinghai since Lord Jigten Sumgon left. Over 100 Rinpoches, 4000 lamas and 80,000 believers attended the grand puja.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche organized the Sakyamuni Empowerment Puja performed by Most Venerable Chenga Rinpoche. About 1000 people attended the puja.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche organized the Great Avalokiteshvara’s Six Syllable Mantra Chanting Puja for Pureland, performed by Most Venerable Drubwang Norbu Rinpoche in Taipei. Over 4000 people in total came to the two sessions within two days. During the puja, Most Venerable Drubwang Rinpoche openly praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for being a rare and highly-talented practitioner.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche organized the Usnisa-sitatapatra Empowerment Puja, performed by Lhochen Rinpoche. Over 1,500 people attended the puja.
  • During the worldwide SARS epidemic, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche never stopped holding pujas in Taiwan during the country’s period of epidemic control. All who had attended the pujas were safe and sound. Additionally, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed tantric practices to cure SARS patients.
  • The Douliou City Chapter of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center was established and Lhochen Rinpoche was invited to co-officiate the inauguration ceremony with Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.

2004

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche perfectly completed his 6th retreat at Jangchubling Monastery in India.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led 200 disciples to Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha Sakyamuni and attended the inauguration ceremony of the Lotus Stupa of the Drikung Kagyu Order as well as the Monkey Year Teachings, during which Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche offered Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang a 3 kg pure gold statue of Lord Jigten Sumgon.
  • His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche came to Taiwan, accompanied by a group of Rinpoches and lamas, to preside over the inauguration ceremony of the new puja venue of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center. During the ceremony, at the request of the disciples of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, His Holiness himself composed the Long Life Prayer for Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche traveled to Qinghai and visited a great practitioner of the Drikung Kagyu—The Venerable Khacho Wangmo, a 114-year-old nun. She then predicted that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche would have perfect dharma activities and that his wishes would be fulfilled. While in Qinghai, the Dharma protectors, taking on the forms of a white horse standing on the river bank and a golden hamster squatting on a precipice, welcomed Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. While traveling alongside a river in a car, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche kept reciting incantations for the dragons. He pointed to a mountaintop in the distance and said that there were precious items in it. Additionally, at a geomantrically great location, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche got out of the car and the remarkable sight of two auspicious rainbows appeared near the horizons on either side of him. Each time that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche arrived at a monastery, he would be welcomed by a group of monks performing the honoring rites with utmost reverence, such as the burning of pine branches, the waving of khatas, a walking parade, the playing of musical instruments, and the holding of the precious ceremonial umbrella. When Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche would enter the monasteries, the lamas would offer mandala and recite the Long Life Prayer for Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche organized the Great Amitabha Empowerment and Vajrasattva Practice for Transferring Consciousness, performed by His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche. More than 1,300 people attended this puja.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche organized the Great Padmasambhava and Usnisa-sitatapatra Group Practice, conducted by Lhochen Rinpoche. After the practice session, Lhochen Rinpoche played a video recording of his practices at a sacred lake in Qinghai. Many remarkable images were shown, and thereby authenticated the past life of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche as a great terton of Drikung Kagyu.

2005

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche perfectly completed his 7th retreat at Jangchubling Monastery, India. Before doing the retreat, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche had attended the memorial puja for Guru Milarepa and Marpa and the inauguration ceremony of the newly built college of the Drikung Kagyu for tantric studies. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang pointed out the karmic causes and conditions for Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s retreat were good. Additionally, Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang called him “Rinpoche” in front of many Rinpoches of the lineage. At the inauguration ceremony, His Holiness led Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, His Holiness Taglung Shabdrung, Gyabra Tritsab Rinpoche, and Tonpa Rinpoche to light the lamps as an offering to the Buddhas and then performed the inauguration rituals.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche received the terma empowerment of the eight major Herukas in Qinghai. He was the first ngakpa Rinpoche to receive this empowerment in the past hundred years. He received the lineage of this precious practice on behalf of ngakpa practitioners and it was also the first time for the practice to be transmitted within a Han occupied area of China. During the puja, many auspicious signs appeared, such as quakes, showers of hailstones, lightning and roaring thunder, all of which were evidence of the presence of the Vajra Protectors during this extraordinary puja.
  • When Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche visited Venerable Khacho Wangmo who at that time was 115 years old, and prostrated himself in front of her, snowflakes fell from the clear blue sky. A Dharma protector taking on the form of a white eagle hovered in mid air to welcome Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche while he was in the retreat room of Venerable Khacho Wangmo. During the journey, a number of auspicious signs were seen: a solar halo which is the representation of the backlight of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and a group of dakinis taking the form of vultures walking in procession to welcome Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche visited Most Venerable Yunga Rinpoche and received the empowerment of a tantric practice, as well as its text, and thereby became the holder of the practice. Furthermore, Most Venerable Yunga Rinpoche confirmed that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche had attained the Siddhi of Spranbrala Yoga in Mahamudra practice. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is the only Rinpoche of Han lineage to have ever received any tantric empowerment from Yunga Rinpoche.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche financially supported His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang Rinpoche’s visit to Yushu, Qinghai to conduct a puja. The Tibetan people in the area had not seen Drikung Kyabgon for hundreds of years. Without the support of other centers, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche paid all the expenses by himself, including the airfare and accommodation expenses for the trip, and an offering to His Holiness.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided over the Great Indiscriminated Amitabha’s Puja for Transferring Consciousness. About 5000 people attended this puja. Among them were twenty eight Geshes, Khenpos and lamas from different  lineages, who joined the event on their own initiative. At the completion of the puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donated a total of NTD 4,520,000, NTD 1,000,000 from himself and NTD 3,520,000 from the believers and the disciples, to the Ministry of Interior for charitable services and social welfare.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche financially supported several very important projects in Qinghai:
    1. Making a great thangka of Sakyamuni.
    2. Engraving Tripitaka on stones.
    3. Building the world largest statue of Yamantaka.
    4. Constructing the Jigten Sumgon Memorial Library.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche visited Jangchubling Monastery, India. He received the Hevajra empowerment from Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, and so did His Holiness Taglung Shabdrung Rinpoche and the other four great Rinpoches.

2006

  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche perfectly completed his 8th retreat at Jangchubling Monastery, India. Before Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche entered the retreat room, an auspicious sign manifested. Clouds resembling the Garuda appeared in the sky. Upon completion of the retreat, Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang shook hands with Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and touched Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s forehead with his own.
  • Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang granted his own important Dharma instrument for the practice of Chod to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. This symbolizes that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has received the lineage of Chod directly from His Holiness.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche accompanied Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang on a trip to New Zealand to propagate Buddhism.
  • At the request of believers, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche visited the Netherlands to propagate Buddhism.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche organized a puja for His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche to transmit the Bodhichitta teachings and the White Tara empowerment.
  • Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang himself said: “Yen (Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s family name) Rinpoche is the best disciple I have ever had. His achievements in practicing the Dharma come in a natural way. He has been learning and practicing outstandingly. From the fact Yen Rinpoche was allowed to sit and walk besides Kyabgon Rinpoche during the great teachings held this year and last year, the position of Yen Rinpoche is very obvious. Moreover, during the Hevajra Empowerment Puja held last year, Yen Rinpoche was one of six Rinpoches, including two Their Holinesses and other great Rinpoches who acted as representatives in offering and receiving empowerment. Besides this, on the official website of the Drikung, the recognition of the position of Yen Rinpoche has also been explicitly announced!”
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche visitd Qinghai again for the preparation of the Jigten Sumgon Memorial Library.
  • Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led 500 disciples to India for Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang’s birthday and provided financial support for the celebrations. The local Indian governor himself joined in the event. During the Amitayus Puja, His Holiness bestowed a Gampopa Hat and a Five Dhyani Buddhas Conch upon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, who then put on the hat and offered Mandala to His Holiness. His Holiness personally bid Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to cast the treasure vase and the auspicious clouds of the lineage in gold and mount them on this ceremonial hat. Furthermore, Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang openly praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche saying:
    “Yen (Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s family name) Rinpoche is the best among my disciples. His center is the most successful one as well. It’s a fact witnessed by every one of us. He has accomplished what many other Rinpoches of the Drikung Kagyu haven’t managed to. His accomplishments are greater than those of many other Rinpoches.” His Holiness later added, “I trust that Yen Rinpoche’s activities can benefit a great many sentient beings. I feel that we are always together and we will benefit even more sentient beings on the Buddhist path.”
  • On August 13, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided over the Great Indiscriminated Amitabha’s Puja for Transferring Consciousness. More than 10,000 people attended this great puja. Upon the perfect completion of the puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donated over NTD 4,680,000 to the Ministry of Interior for social welfare services such as social work and benefits for the disabled.
  • Unprecendentedly, after the Prime Minister of India was invited in the previous year, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche then received an invitation to deliver a speech on October 29, 2006 as a guru of Tibetan Buddhism at the renowned M. G. N. school in a Sikh community in northern India. A local journalist commended that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was their most precious gift from heaven.
  • On December 1, 2006, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led more than 50 disciples to pay a visit to Most Venerable Yunga Rinpoche, one of his root Gurus. Besides bestowed upon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche a statue of Manjushri, Yunga Rinpoche also predicted, “the merits and virtues of all the Buddhas of the three times and ten directions are in Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche,” and “Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is capable of liberating all the sentient beings in six realms.” So far, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is the only Rinpoche of Han lineage to have received any tantric empowerment from Yunga Rinpoche.

2007

  • In February, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted an Avalokiteshvara puja for the Sikh in their community in northern India. 500 people attended the puja with reverence and joy. A Sikh elder even invited Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to visit them twice a year to guide the people by means of Buddhist teachings. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche also performed the Great Amitabha’s Puja for Transferring Consciousness in Gurgoan, a city near New Delhi, and thereby benefited countless beings.
  • On April 16, 2007, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche officially empowered Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to propagate Buddhism all over the world on behalf of Drikung Kagyu Lineage. It was written in the authorization from His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche: “The most venerable H.E. Yen Chen-How Rinpoche (Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche) is the founder of Tibetan Buddhism Drikung Kagyu Lineage’s Ridna Shiri center in Taipei, since 20 years he did the sincere practices under the guidance of H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche. He is also strong supporting Drikung Kagyu various projects. Yen Chen-How Rinpoche (Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche) has a very good experience and capability to teach the Buddha dharma even in the abroad. Therefore he is empowered to propagate Buddhism all over the world on behalf of Drikung Kagyu Lineage. I pray his activities will bring the Flourish Buddha dharma in this world and benefit many sentient beings.”
  • From May to August of 2007, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche instructed Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to perform a three month retreat together with him, on the holy mountain of Lapchi where Milarepa performed his own retreat at the time. Upon perfect completion of the retreat, His Holiness endowed Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche with a new ordain name “Rinchen Dorjee” which means “Most Precious Treasure Vajra”.
  • In Mid August, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led about 300 disciples to Leh, Ladakh, in northern India and attended the Pig Year Teachings of Drikung Kagyu, which is held every twelve years, at Phyang Monastery. His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang presided over the great teachings and was always accompanied by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche at the time, which showed a great example of a disicple’s utmost reverence and contribution to his Guru.
  • On September 9, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided over the Great  Indiscriminating Amitabha’s Puja for Transferring Consciousness. Over 10,000 people attended this great puja. Upon the perfect completion of the puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donated over NTD 4,890,000 to the Ministry of Interior for social welfare such as social work and benefits for the disabled.
  • At the end of October, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led over 50 disciples of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center to visit Nepal and attend the inauguration ceremony of the Drikung Kagyu Rinchen Palri Monastery, a new monastery of the Drikung Kagyu in Balambu, Kathmandu.
  • In mid-December 2007, the Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led more than 300 disciples and believers to Kyoto, Japan. As requested by the President of Sagano Scenic Railway, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the Chod Puja on the scenic railway. On the morning of the Puja, a rare and auspicious solar halo appeared in the sky. This was not only the very first Chod performed on a moving train in the history of Tibetan Buddhism, but also in the history of the world. While the Chod Puja was performed, an auspicious image of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva appeared in the sky. All of these signs signify that both the strength of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s hopes to aid and his compassion towards all sentient beings can surpass the boundaries of both space and time.

2008

  • On April 13, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted the auspicious Vajrasattva Empowerment Puja at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Taiwan. During the puja he left the throne and personally bestowed individual blessings upon the almost 1000 disciples and believers that attended.
  • On May 6, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche went to India so he could personally welcome His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang to Taiwan. At the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, His Holiness had tea and chatted with all the Rinpoches, Khenpos, lamas and the disciples from the Drikung Kagyu centers in Taiwan. Furthermore, on behalf of all the Rinpoches, Khenpos, lamas and the disciples of the Drikung Kagyu centers in Taiwan, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche besought His Holiness to pray for the victims of the Sichuan earthquake and the cyclone in Myanmar. His Holiness mercifully granted Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s wish and led the attendees in chanting mantras for the victims and their relatives.
  • In mid-May, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, accompanied by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, was interviewed on Lighting the Lamp, a TV program. A streaming video of the program is now available with CTS online video on demand. During the program, an introduction of the Songtsen Library, which was founded by His Holiness, was given. The interview also provided an insight into His Holiness’s current work with the historical manuscripts found in Dunhuang for his upcoming book on Tibetan history. Furthermore, the close communion of a lama’s heart with his disciple’s was specifically brought to light. The essence of the Buddhist doctrine, such as the impermanence of life, causes and conditions, and the Six Paramitas, were elaborated on as well.
  • His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche conferred the Authorization Letter (Date of Authorization: May 19): For the religious activities in Japan, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche specially appointed Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to disseminate and host the Bao-Ji-Shang (Glorious Jewel) Buddhism Cultural Exchange Center for Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism in Japan.
  • On May 20, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche, accompanied by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, left Taipei to visit all the Drikung Kagyu centers around Taiwan, including the Douliou City chapter of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center. With mercy, His Holiness gave teachings and blessings at each center, thus benefiting all sentient beings.
  • On May 29, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche, accompanied by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, traveled to Kyoto, Japan, to preside over the inauguration ceremony of the new Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center. This is not only the first Buddhist center of Drikung Kagyu Lineage, it is the first Buddhist center from any of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism to be established in Japan. There were around 100 attendees in the grand ceremony, including local Japanese guests, guests from India and Taiwan, as well as disciples from the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Taiwan. His Holiness specially presented Rinchen Dorje Rinpoche with a sutra and a statue of the Buddha Amitayus from the sacred land of Lapchi in Nepal. The arrival of the statue of the Buddha Amitayus was a symbolic representation of the arrival of the Buddha Amitayus and the future spread of the nearly 1000-year-old lineage of Drikung Kagyu in Japan. After the inauguration, His Holiness led Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in performing a sublime and remarkable fire puja in the yard of the new venue and benefiting the myriads of beings in the universe.
  • In June, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche followed His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche’s instruction to create and launch a Chinese version of the official website of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism.
  • The Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted the first Chod Puja in the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Kyoto, Japan on Aug. 16, 2008. There were around 80 people attended this puja, including local believers from Japan and the disciples from Taiwan. This was the second Chod Puja by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in Japan after the first Chod held on the Sagano Sight-seeing Tram in Kyoto in Dec. 2007.
  • On Aug. 31st in Taipei Arena, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche successively the fourth time conducted“The Great Indiscriminated Amitabha’s Puja for Transferring Consciousness”. There were up to 14,000 attendees, including 31 khenpos, lamas, and nuns from Drikung Kyagu, Drukpa kargyu, Nyingma, and Gelug lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, and 6 monks and nuns of Exoteric Buddhism, as well as people who especially came to attend by plane from Japan, U.S., Canada, Holland, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, India, etc. Upon the perfect completion of the puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche contributed his own and all the attendees’ offerings of over NT$ 4,160,000 to the Department of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Interior for social welfare to help the disadvantaged and people in need, which also sowed favorable condition with the sentient beings. The total donation amount of the H.E. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has reached to NT$ 18 millions in four years.
  • On November 7, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led nearly 200 disciples of Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center and was again invited as the chief guest of the Annual Prize Distribution Function of M.G.N Public School, Kapurthala, the most famous school in the Punjab province of the northern India. After delivering a speech at the 2008 Annual Function, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, to pray for all people present, also particularly led 4 lamas, 2 nuns, and 50 disciples to recite the “Aspiration Prayer for Rebirth in Pure Land” and the scene was very touching.
  • On November 9, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted the auspicious Chod puja in Jalandhar, the famous major city in the Sikh region of the northern India, which was attended by approximately more than 250 Indians and nearly 200 disciples of Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Taiwan. His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s root Guru, especially sent 4 lamas with a precious umbrella, a Dharma throne, a Dharma tablecloth, a cloth for the back of the throne, Dharma musical instruments, and a small table from Ladakh to help organize the puja. This was the first Buddhist puja (including Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism) that was held in the major Sikh region by the attending of so many local Indian people, especially the Sikhs, who also participated in the entire puja and reverently listened to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s teachings. All of the above indicated that this Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s unprecedented achievement, with Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s unselfish mercy and compassion and the marvelous power of Buddha Dharma, omnipresently benefited myriad sentient beings, beyond the barriers of races, regions, languages, and cultures.
  • From November 11 till November 15, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led disciples attend the Annual World Peace Prayer Gathering as well as the teaching and the pith instruction of the Ganges Mahamudra (Mahamudra Upadesha, phyag chen gang ga ma) held by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche in Jangchubling Monastery. To highly respect the preciousness of the lineage’s teachings, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche especially led nearly 200 disciples from Taiwan to listen to the teaching and the pith instruction of the Ganges Mahamudra conveyed by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche in person, signifying that Dharma Wheel turns eternally. At the beginning of the Teaching, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche made not only Mandala offering but also the offerings with a particularly rare and precious crystal ball and a precious Thanka to His Holiness. The utmost lucidity and brightness, and the indefective perfection of crystal ball of 150mm in diameter expressed the implication of Mahamudra. His Holiness then placed the crystal ball on the Dharma table immediately. After the completion of the Teachings, H. H. Chetsang Rinpoche especially praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche publicly in Tibetan, Chinese, and English languages in front of the attendees from several different foreign countries: “Simply speaking, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, the abbot of Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, has been being my root disciple for more than 20 years since we met in 1988. From then on, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has been making contribution to the lineage consecutively and devoutly. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche also made big donation to restore the golden roofs of Drikung Thil Monastery, the main monastery of Drikung Kagyu lineage in Tibet, supported the monasteries and the Songtsen Library in Jangchubling, India, and very greatly helped and made offerings to those Drikung Kagyu’s monasteries and the retreat centers where there were in need. As long as any Drikung Kagyu places needs helps and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche would help them. Therefore, now I would like to praise his great support to the Drikung Kagyu lineage. Also, here the disciples of Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, led by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, helped very piously and very hard in any aspects. More than 1000 lamps for the Annual World Peace Prayer Gathering this time were also brought from Taiwan by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche ’s disciples. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has been helping whatever small or big thing that are needed by Drikung Kagyu lineage in India. I’m taking the chance to express my thanks and giving Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche a scarf. Amitabha!”
  • On December 20, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted the auspicious Buddha Amitayus puja in the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Kyoto, Japan. There were more than 140 people attended this puja, including the local guests and believers from Japan and guests from India, and guests and disciples from Taiwan. On May 29, 2008, during the grand inauguration ceremony of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Kyoto, His Holiness the 37th Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s root Guru, bestowed upon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche a statue of Buddha Amitayus from the sacred land of Lapchi in Nepal to symbolize the arrival of Buddha Amitayus. Therefore, the Buddha Amitayus puja conducted first time by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Kyoto is especially meaningful of the lineage transmission.

2009

  • On Jan 31, 2009, the Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted the “Black Water Jambhala Dharma” in the morning and the “Elephant Jambhala Dharma” in the afternoon at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan. There were a total of 85 persons that had attended the puja including the local believers from Japan, believers from Australia and disciples from Taiwan.
  • In March, 2009, the Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche perfectly completed the tenth retreat in Jangchubling, India. This time, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led 51 disciples to conduct their 7 day retreat practice.
  • On May 29 and May 30, 2009, the Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted the inauguration puja for anniversary of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan in the center. On May 29, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted the rituals of Lamp Offering Prayer Chapter Two, Jewell Self-Born Lamp Offering, and Lama Chopa. On May 30, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche held the auspicious fire puja. There were a total of 129 and 131 persons respectively attended these pujas on May 29 and May 30, including local believers and guests, believers and guests from Taiwan, guests from India, and disciples of Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Taiwan.
  • On August 16, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided over an auspicious Chod puja of Drikung Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan. The puja was attended by a total of 108 people, including local Japanese believers and disciples from Taiwan.
  • At noon of September 9th, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche received Master Noritake Shuunan (the Abbot of Reiun-in Temple of the Myōshin-ji of Rinzai Zen Buddhism in Kyoto, Japan), Minamikei Okajima (a resident nun from the Honko-ji of the Myōshin-ji of Rinzai Zen Buddhism), the Master Xuan Shu (one of Abbot Noritake Shuunan’s disciples in Taiwan), and the accompanying dignitaries at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Taipei. Master Noritake Shuunan praised that Tibetan Buddhism is extraordinary and, after Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s advice, said to the disciples of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, “You are very fortunate!”
  • In September, the Chinese edition of Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s marvelous book entitled “Happiness and Suffering” was published. To this date, this book has been accepted into the collections of the Library of Congress of the United States, Harvard-Yenching Library of Harvard University, C.V. Starr East Asian Library of Columbia University, Kroch Library of Cornell University, Milton S. Eisenhower Library of Johns Hopkins University, Humanities Library of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and C.V. Starr East Asian Library of University of California at Berkeley. Prior to writing this book Happiness and Suffering, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche implored his root guru His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang for H.H.’s advice and the foreword to the book. His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche granted Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s plea since His Holiness realized immediately after reading this book that it is language prajna and, on behalf of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, agreed that the book would benefit the sentient beings. Therefore, that is the reason why everyone can have lots of gains from simple words in this book. It is the blessings from the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and the Drikung lineage. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche not only carefully edits the contents of this book, but also personally designs the cover of the book that implies profound attainment and meanings in practice. Likewise, the contents of two hundred forty pages of this book are concise with deep meanings. This book has received tremendous responses since it got published. Besides disciples, no matter who you are, a Buddhist or not, many people gain immense benefit and the wisdom nectar from the great practitioner and enable themselves to face all their happiness and suffering in daily life with a healthier and correct attitude. Up till Jan 2010, this book has sold more than 15,000 copies.
  • On October 4, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided over the auspicious Great Indiscriminated Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism for the fifth time. Besides the Taiwanese disciples and believers, over 13,000 people came to the puja, including 14 ordained people from Exoteric Buddhism, 18 Khenpos and lamas of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage and the Nyingma Lineage from Qinghai and Yunnan, as well as those who made a special trip from Australia, Japan, India, France, the Philippines, and Canada. During this puja, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche donated 2 million NTD in cash to the Department of Social Affairs in the Ministry of the Interior through Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, as a post-Typhoon Morakot disaster reconstruction fund. Subsequently, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche also donated another 2 million NTD in cash plus 4.23 million NTD offered to him by the attendees of the puja, i.e. 6.23 million NTD in sum, all as the post-Typhoon Morakot disaster reconstruction fund. A total of 8.23 million NTD was donated as the post-disaster reconstruction fund. The Ministry of the Interior particularly sent an appreciation letter to express their gratitude to His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. During the five years, from 2005 to 2009, the venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donated a sum of 24 million NTD and each year Ministry of the Interior would send a special letter or a letter of appreciation to thank the venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
  • On November 9 and 10, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led 366 disciples to Kathmandu, Nepal, to attend the inauguration ceremony of Drikung Kagyu Rinchenling Monastery and the Empowerment Puja of Parna Shabari, which were personally presided by His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche. Before the inauguration ceremony and the empowerment, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche followed His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche closely while making the entrance to the venue. During the entire ceremony, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was invited to sit on a sofa arranged solely for him at the middle of the first row among the attendees, directly across from His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche. As the ceremony perfectly completed, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was invited to his personal lounge in the monastery to have lunch. During the empowerment, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was seated at the first row on the mandala, very close to the Dharma throne of His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche. After the completion of the empowerment, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was the only one who accompanied His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche to leave the venue. At His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche’s instruction, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche accompanied His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche to His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche’s lounge. Many Rinpoches in the lineage, such as Nupa Rinpoche, Rasbsang Rinpoche and Nyizong Sopa Rinpoche, lamas, and believers all came to pay their visits to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in his personal lounge.  In addition to attending the inauguration ceremony, at the request of his root guru His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche had additionally arranged Dr. Kou, the chief doctor of Glorious Jewel Clinic of Chinese Medicine from Taipei, Taiwan, to come to the Rinchenling Monastery to provide two-day volunteer clinic for 45 ordained practitioners, including 43 nuns and 2 lamas. Not only did Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche support all the expenses of the volunteer clinic but also instructed the clinic to offer the Chinese herbs of best quality. In the evening, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche inquired the chief doctor about the health conditions of those who came to the volunteer clinic, which demonstrated how much Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche cared for those ordained practitioners. Moreover, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has also carefully planned in advance for the follow-on medicine supply. All the hearty care and prudent and thorough arrangements by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche were always carried out without being noticed or expecting anything in return.
  • On November 15, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted an auspicious puja of Longevity Buddha at the Regent Park Hotel of Jarlandar in Punjab Province of northern India. There were four hundred and eighty-two attendees, including three hundred and twenty local Indian believers (among them, twenty from the hotel requested to participate on their own initiatives after they knew there would be such an auspicious puja) and one hundred and forty-four disciples of Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Taiwan. Since 2007, this is the third time Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has presided over a Tibetan Buddhist puja of Drikung Kagyu at this major city of Sikh region to benefit sentient beings. His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche especially sent three lamas to bring a dharma throne, musical instruments, a dharma table from Jangchubling of northern India to help with setting up the mandala, the embellishment of the throne and the rituals of the puja. Additionally, Khenpo Namdol also came from Yunnan Province of China to assist the puja. The gyaling and dungchen (Tibetan long trumpet) brought by three lamas from Jangchubling, northern India have been used by His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche when presiding over pujas. Additionally, the dharma table used by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche during this puja had also been used by His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche himself.
  • On December 26, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche held the auspicious “Dorje Phurba” puja at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan. There were a total of 109 people who had attended this auspicious puja, including 21 local guests and believers, 1 Japanese disciple, 11 Taiwanese believers and 76 disciples from Taiwan. While reciting the mantras in the puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche uttered an extremely low sound resembling that of roaring thunders. With vertical eyebrows, bulging eyes, extending mouth and immensely fierce facial expressions, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s look was exactly the same as the wrathful form of Dorje Phurba and served as an auspicious sign that indicated Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s accordance with the yidam.

Updated on February 2, 2010